Child mortality rate dramatically reduced as a result of effective vaccination campaign

The successful vaccination campaign undertaken in all parts of the country is playing vital role in the dramatic reduction of child mortality rate, Stated Mr. Fili Seid Fili, head of vaccination program in the Ministry of Health. He pointed out that the vaccination campaign involves over 90% coverage and that the country has won broad acclaim on the part of the world community for registering impressive achievements in this domain.

Asmara, 23 April 2010 – The successful vaccination campaign undertaken in all parts of the country is playing vital role in the dramatic reduction of child mortality rate, Stated Mr. Fili Seid Fili, head of vaccination program in the Ministry of Health. He pointed out that the vaccination campaign involves over 90% coverage and that the country has won broad acclaim on the part of the world community for registering impressive achievements in this domain. 

Noting that special attention has been given to the task of expanding vaccination campaign since the days of the armed struggle, Mr. Fili explained that a number of children have now been relieved from disability and death thanks to the integrated vaccination program introduced across the nation.

He went on to say that the vaccines being given include anti-TB, polio, pneumonia, measles, diphtheria and others. Eritrea has managed to become one of the few countries that controlled polio, measles and infection as a result of the strenuous endeavors exerted, Mr. Fili elucidated. There are over 370 permanent and mobile vaccine-providing institutions in the country, and that about 90,000 children receive all the required vaccines annually. Moreover, Mr. Fili stated that there are plans to introduce vaccines against lung infection and diarrhea among children.

It is to be recalled that the “Gavi Alliance” grouping 72 countries awarded prize to Eritrea on November 2009 as a country that registered the highest vaccine coverage.